Yuck!

Yesterday, our Environment, Science, Technology & Health office sent out a notice informing everyone in the office that air quality was poor.

On Tuesday, they noted, Beijing's Air Pollution Index was 172. You didn't have to tell us - Tuesday evening, a group of us walked outside around 9:30 pm, and one of my friends said, "Jeez, can you see that?" And indeed we could. A thick haze blurred vision in every direction. The haze wasn't fog, it was particulate matter in the air. You could smell it, too.

On the Chinese EPA's scale, 172 is considered "lightly polluted," and the health effects are described as "healthy people begin stimulate symptom." The US EPA considers 172 "unhealthy" and states that everyone may experience health effects at that level.

Beijing, city of grand scale, was not ready to stop at an API of 172. Wednesday, the Air Pollution Index turned out to be 253! Even the Chinese EPA recognizes this level as "moderate-heavy polluted" and describes the health effects as, "the healthy crowds popularly appear some symptoms." The US EPA considers this level of pollutants "very unhealthy," meaning that everyone may experience more serious health effects.

I wonder if that's why several members of my staff have been off work sick each day this week with sore throats and colds? And those who are in the office are coughing and complaining of hoarse voices. I keep hearing about Beijing's winter pollution - I hope it's not like this for months!